DE69731559T2 - FACE AND AIR PROTECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The The present invention relates to protection systems designed for this purpose are to provide the user with combined respiratory protection and / or him from bumps and Protect splashes and to protect the environment from exhalation of the carrier. In particular, refers they focus on light overpressure / underpressure and protective devices.

General state of the technology

Of the Protecting the health of healthcare workers, without affecting the health of the patient in recent years in the face of increased cases of Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, acquired immunodeficiency and Herpes increased in importance. When choosing a suitable Protection device should be considered many factors. For example, both verbal and visual communication between a health care worker and be of concern to a worried patient, though a patient should be appeased and calmed. It also saves a protection system that is easy to put on and not just to the Face or head needs to be adjusted in case of emergency. About that In addition, a protective device should be comfortable for a long time be.

covering and shielding protective systems, including masks and respirators that are older as the present invention, while generally excellent Protection, are difficult to put on and adjust properly. Besides, these can Devices, even if they are only worn for a short time, have little comfort. In addition, many obscure partially or completely the face of the wearer and especially the mouth.

protection systems with built-in ventilation or built-in ventilation systems are known. U.S. Patent No. 4,055,173 (Knab) discloses the use of a vacuum system, the air in and through the protective headgear and pull the surgeon's smock and filter that air before she is drained back into the room. Not desirable is the lack of Agility, which is due to that user and device must be connected; on the protection of the user In addition, no account is taken of pollutants in the room. On the problem with mobility is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,019,508 (Estephaniuan et al.). There is an independent, from Surgeons described carrying "backpack" device. Wearing a backpack can cause the user balance problems gets, feels awkward and tired, And here too, the protection of the user from harmful substances in the ambient air not mentioned.

Find overpressure respirators in the art wide application. Their use is often officially regulated. With these devices, the user becomes with filtered air provided. about a compressed air line or a blower is the helmet or the face mask of the respirator Supplied with air. Out U.S. Patent No. 4,462,399 (Braun) discloses a "filter in helmet" concept in which a face sealant used to seal the device on the face. How out US Pat. No. 4,280,491 (Berg et al.) discloses air vents be provided so that air can flow out of the device. Such devices are also in the 3 M brochure with the Title "Positive Pressure Respirators "(3 M, St. Paul, Minnesota). EP0 338 714 A2 describes another overpressure breathing apparatus. The purpose of such devices is to protect the wearer the environment; no Providence is made, one from the carrier to remove outgoing contamination from the overpressure system before the air goes into the environment.

protection of the face, including Eyes, nose, ears and mouth are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,965,887 (Paoluccio et al.). This device uses one generally cylindrical, clear plastic face shield, assigned by one Glasses are held in position. The patent also applies the attachment of the screen to a helmet or other headgear shapes. For the further protection of the wearer the use of one attached to the lower end of the screen extended Schurzes suggested. The piling up by wearing the device Heat can through openings be discharged at the top and bottom of a fluid impermeable cap. One Respiratory protection for the carrier is not scheduled.

In protective cover and shield systems for protecting and covering the head and / or face of the wearer, an adjustable harness has been used to attach a helmet and / or face shield protector to the head of the wearer. These harnesses include a combination of a headband looping horizontal headband and a headband extending from the side over the top of the head. The guards hang on or are attached to the harness. Typical harnesses used to attach a helmet system to the head of the carrier are described in U.S. Patents 3,955,570 (Hutter), 4,280,491 (Berg et al.), 4,901,716 (Stackhouse et al.), and 5,125,402 (Greenough). Such harnesses are widely used in industry and construction. A ratchet device (e.g., Hutter or Stackhouse et al.) Can be used to tighten the headband, which typically applies pressure to the head over a small area. Pressure sufficient to prevent inadvertent movement of the helmet can be uncomfortable, and harnesses can mess up the hairstyle and cause pressure sores on the head and / or forehead.

in the U.S. Patent No. 5,381,560 (Halstead) is a landing and holding system for headgear, including on a plastic insert (such as expandable polystyrene) attached foam pad described. The insert is over one adjustable nylon strap on the skull attached, wherein the nylon strap can be positioned so that he "clings" to the bony prominence at the back of the head. The purpose of the helmet is to to protect the head of a cyclist in a fall. Other applications or Uses are not mentioned.

valves are common attached to respiratory protective devices to prevent contaminated Air during of the inhalation cycle enters the respiratory zone, as in the US patent No. 5,325,892 (Japuntich et al.). As from the above Patent to Stackhouse et al. As can be seen, furnishing valves can also used in cleanroom devices to prevent contamination to prevent the environment.

Summary

It There is a need for a protection system that is lightweight, lightweight put on and take off, comfortable is to carry, allows panoramic view, Provides clean breathing air and filters exhaled air.

The present invention provides a new protection device the one carrier before particulate Aerosols, blood droplets and droplets of others body fluids protect. The device can be cooling provide filtered air and dissipate damming moisture. she protects too the environment in which the carrier works against contamination by the wearer. The interest and the Sympathy of the wearer can be perceived by patients and others. The device can also be adapted to protect against gases and vapors. Except in the Healthcare, the protective device according to the invention also in food, pharmaceutical, semiconductor and other Industries are used. The device can be transportable, be attached to a source of air or attached to this.

The Protection system has a headgear and a substantially transparent Lens-like shield element that protects the face and coupled to the headgear is. The face protecting Shield element can be stable against splashes and / or shockproof be.

The Headgear is bent and generally at the top and rear Part of the user's head adapted. The headgear is a support element for supporting a protective device, in this case a face shield, on the head a carrier. The Clasp is for many head sizes suitable. The entire clasp or part of it is elastic and provides a feather-like effect ready and embraces so the head firmly on gentle and compressive type. The compressive effect basically arises between two points - one Part of the protective device which is complementary to the forehead of the wearer, (i.e., generally on the wearer's forehead) and the free end of the wearer Head brace, which is generally under the bone protrusion at the back of the head is present when the device is in use (i.e. Back of the wearer's head under the bony prominence).

The Headgear can be used in conjunction with a head harness like in a helm application.

Of the Face shield and the face of the wearer essentially define a respiratory zone, carried by a ready to wear on the headgear Air flow generator or blower applied becomes. A compressed air source can be coupled to the blower or to the blower instead of being used.

The fan can be powered by different energy sources, is but preferably electrically operated. A power generator like a Battery or a solar cell carrier is preferred. Directly wired mains voltage could be used.

the fan a filter can be assigned. In a preferred embodiment surrounds the filter the blower and the energy source. The preferred filter concept and arrangement the present invention, in which a bag-like filter a fan encloses can in Virtually any compressed air system can be used, though it does especially good for Applications are appropriate in which compactness and weight are important are.

For spacing the filter from the inlet may be arranged near the inlet a spacer. The blower and filter feature of the present invention can be used with a conventional helmet harness or to improve currently available protection systems.

The Protection system according to the invention can also have a diffuser. Preferably, the diffuser a front surface, a back surface, an air inlet, an air outlet and a plurality of inner guide devices. The diffuser defines an air flow path. The back surface is preferably generally complementary to the forehead of a human and can be an air impermeable Wear ribbon. The face shield is coupled to the diffuser, and The headgear generally extends from the diffuser to the rear. The fan or the air flow generation device is for generating an air flow coupled through the diffuser to this.

Of the Face shield can carry an output filter seal to air to filter before leaving the respiratory zone. The output filter seal is generally flexible, operatively connected to the circumference of the face shield and arranged along this. It is designed to be general to engage the contour of the head of a human and himself adapt to it. If the system along with the face shield form the face surface and the exit filter seal a respiratory zone exposed to clean air.

The Protection device according to the invention is easy, lets easy to put on and take off, is comfortable to wear, enables panoramic view, filters exhaled air and delivers filtered breathing air. she can Beard and spectacle wearers be worn. It is very well suited to health care professionals and protect patients from cross-contamination and reduces the potential contamination by the wearer.

It there is a belief that the inventive system and its features much cheaper than the existing ones Compressed air systems can be manufactured and so a wider tensioned and more frequent ones Application in hospitals and clinics, in industry and in the office.

Short description of drawings

It demonstrate:

1 a side view of an embodiment of the protection system according to the invention;

2 a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

3 the headgear, face shield and blower / filter bag feature of the present invention adapted for use with a helmet;

4 an embodiment of the present invention in use and

5 a plan view of the diffuser according to the invention, including its inner Leitvorrichtungsstruktur, from below.

Detailed description

at the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is a clarity for clarity specific terminology used. However, the invention is achieved by the features of the claims Are defined.

As As used herein, the term "face" is intended to have its usual meaning, i. H. the front part of the human head, generally from the forehead to the chin, and in the lateral extent to the ears, but without including them. To the Belong to the face the chin, the mouth, the nose, the cheeks, the eyes and usually forehead.

As As used herein, the term "head" is intended to have its usual meaning but may also include parts of the neck.

Becomes herein front and back, right and left, top and bottom and horizontal and used vertically, this is for descriptive purposes only with the drawings. Such terms are with their conventional ones Meanings to read and understand.

The The present invention can be used as a splash protection device or used before bumps become. Furthermore the device can be the carrier by over or under pressure Respiratory protection available put. The invention may also be someone who does not use the device wearing, Provide protection against pollutants in the air exhaled by the wearer.

The figures show the face shield and respiratory protection system 20 of the present invention as well as its features and components. The system 20 Although it is very well suited for use in healthcare, it could also be used in many other fields in virtually any situation where the isolation of a person from the environment, e.g. In the pharmaceutical, chemical and electronics industries would be desirable.

The present invention provides a protection system 20 with a to a clasp 24 coupled face shield 22 ready ( 1 ). The face shield 22 can be resistant to splashes and / or impact resistant. The face shield 22 is preferably transparent and provides a wide field of view. Preferably, the face shield provides 22 Panoramic view ready.

The face shield 22 may be made of any material and of any size or shape that achieves the desired level of resistance to splash and impact. In the present invention, clear polycarbonate is a preferred material. One skilled in the art, however, knows that various materials can be used. Similarly, various shapes and sizes can be used in the present invention. In at least one embodiment, the face shield is 22 designed so that it generally corresponds to the shape of a human face and is larger than this. The face shield 22 or the lens could be movably or hingedly coupled to the headgear and could be formed of two or more articulated coupled parts such that a wearer (for example) comprises a lower portion of the face shield 22 could open, for example, to sip something, without having to remove the protection system.

In 1 and 2 is the face shield 22 at the headgear 24 appropriate. The clasp 24 has a generally curved or curved spatulate shape. The clasp 24 can be attached to the headgear in various ways, including by means of glue, screws or springs. The clasp has a free end 25 and a length 27 that are generally between the free end 25 and the attachment to the face shield 22 extends. The headgear 24 is shaped to fit and closely fit the wearer's head.

The clasp 24 is made of elastic material. Your entire length 27 or part of it can be elastic. In a preferred embodiment, the material is a clear polyester. Other suitable materials include plastics such as polyolefins and ABS and metals such as spring steel. The elasticity can be improved by the use of springs or other similar structures. The clasp 24 is so elastic that the free end 25 in use generally engages the lower part of the bony promontory at the occiput of the wearer.

2 further shows that the clasp 24 a reinforcing strip 30 can be added. The reinforcing strip 30 is preferably elastic and may be made of many suitable materials such as spring steel.

In use, the clasp exercises 24 a gentle compressive pressure on the head of the wearer. The pressure is generally from the free end 25 the clasp 24 and a portion of the protective device generally located near the location where the device contacts the forehead of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the applied pressure is so great that the face shield 22 held in place in front of the wearer's face, but not so large as to cause significant pressure points on the wearer's head.

The clasp 24 can be used in other applications such as welding. In this case, the clasp would be 24 attached to a welding shield.

When the device 20 with additional equipment like a helmet 34 can be used, the clasp 24 a head harness 32 exhibit ( 3 ). The head harness 32 stabilizes the face shield 22 on the wearer's head and may be hinged to the additional equipment to the device 20 to connect with the equipment. The head harness 32 can be either part of the additional equipment or part of the clasp 24 be.

The face shield 22 and the face of the wearer essentially define a respiratory zone ( 4 ). This zone can be from an airflow generator 36 like a blower operating on the headgear 24 is worn or with a diffuser 44 is actively connected. The airflow generator 36 has an entrance 37 with an inlet 41 and an outlet 39 , The from the air flow generator 36 generated air flow can be selectively increased or decreased. When the fan is activated, the flow rate is preferably greater than about 50 liters per minute, with a range of about 110 to 170 liters per minute being most preferred. A suitable air flow generator 36 For example, an engine / blower of the type W-2949 (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, hereinafter referred to as "3 M"). Instead of or in conjunction with the Luftströmungsgene generator 36 a compressed air source can be attached to the device.

With the entrance 37 is a filter 38 connected to supply the breathing zone with filtered air. Preferably, it is the filter 38 a reinforcing ply surrounding a multi-ply material with an outer protective ply (s) such as an inner filter ply (s) such as a microfiber layer. In a preferred embodiment, the filter is 38 a flexible enclosing element. The bag-like filter 38 essentially encloses at least the blower inlet 41 , Examples of suitable filter materials are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,620,545 (Braun et al.) And 5,639,700 (Braun et al.), Both assigned to 3M. The filter may be variously flexible and even substantially rigid and may be stiff to varying degrees. The filter element may have stiffer parts such that it is in a selected configuration or position with respect to the air inlet 37 or the air intake 41 does not need to be supported or a framework may be provided for this purpose. More than one filter element can be used. Other non-occlusive filters, such as the 3M SERIES 2000 filters, are suitable for the present invention.

The entrance may be an opening, as in FIG 2 shown, or a permeable or impermeable support structure.

The drive of the fan 36 can be done via a battery or other sources. The airflow generator 36 is preferably electrically operated, wherein a power generator such as a battery or a solar cell carrier is assigned to the air inlet ready. Directly wired mains voltage could be used. In a preferred embodiment, the energy source is 40 in the filter 38 contain.

Suitable for the fan Controls such as a rheostat, a slide switch, a toggle switch or an on / off switch may be provided.

For spacing the filter 38 from the entrance 37 can be near the inlet 41 a spacer 42 be ready for operation ( 2 ).

The portable protection system of the present invention may include a diffuser 44 with an air inlet 45 , an air outlet 46 and a plurality of inner directors 48 exhibit ( 6 ). The diffuser 44 defines an airflow path. The surface 26 of the diffuser 44 near the air outlet 46 is generally complementary to the forehead of a human. To seal the device on the carrier may be on the diffuser and / or the clip 24 or the face shield 22 an air impermeable band 51 be provided. The diffuser 44 is on the face shield 22 coupled. The headgear 24 extends generally from the diffuser 44 to the rear.

The face shield 22 can be an output filter seal 50 for filtering air before leaving the respiratory zone ( 4 ). The output filter seal 50 is generally flexible and with the circumference of the face shield 22 operatively connected and arranged along or along part of it. The output filter is designed to generally engage and adapt to the contour of a human's face.

The output filter seal 50 In essence, it occupies or fills the space between the face shield and the face of the wearer, creating one through the face shield 22 , the face surface of the vehicle and the exit filter seal 50 defined respiratory zone is formed. The output filter seal 50 ver prevents the flow of unfiltered ambient air, but at the same time allows the escape of air through the seal from the respiratory zone. To materials that are suitable for making the output filter seal 50 TYVEK from DuPont or other generally similar woven or nonwoven fabrics. A thermally bonded carded web having polypropylene and polyester fibers is suitable, but a generally similar web or nonwoven or foam may also be used as long as the selected material contaminates or prevents ambient air from entering the respiratory zone. The output filter seal 50 can be done using, for example, 3M tape number 924 on the periphery of the face piece 22 glued or mechanically attached thereto. The output filter seal 50 is used in guards where filtered exhalation is required or desirable.

There may be more than one output filter seal 50 can be used, and the outlet or expiratory filter (s) can be differentially flexible.

In the present invention, a filter hood can be used. In use, the filter hood hangs loose from the edge of the face shield 22 down and essentially takes the space between the face shield 22 and the user's head, especially the space between the screen 22 and the circumference of a user's face or covers it. This defines a respiratory zone. The hood can be designed for one-time use, ie for being removed after use and replaced by another hood. The hood can be used in conjunction with or in place of the output filter seal 50 be used.

Claims (8)

Protection system ( 20 ), comprising: a diffuser ( 44 ) with a surface, an air inlet, an air outlet and at least one inner guide device, wherein the diffuser ( 44 ) Defines an air flow path and the surface general my complement to a human's forehead is a substantially transparent face shield ( 22 ) connected to the diffuser ( 44 ), one of the diffuser ( 44 ) extending head clasp ( 24 ), which has a free end and a generally between the free end and the diffuser ( 44 ), wherein a portion of this length is sufficiently bent such that, in use, a portion of the headgear is generally conformed to a portion of the upper and rear portions of the head of the wearer; 24 ) extends generally to the bone protrusion at the occiput of the wearer and the free end rests against the head or neck of the wearer in a region located generally below the bone protrusion of the occiput, 44 ) coupled blower ( 36 ) for generating an air flow through the diffuser ( 44 ), whereby the blower ( 36 ) has an inlet and is operatively connected to a source of energy, and a filter operatively connected to the diffuser ( 38 ). Protection system ( 20 ) according to claim 1, further comprising a generally flexible starting seal ( 50 ), which corresponds to the circumference of the face shield ( 22 ) and is disposed generally therealong and generally engageable with and adaptable to the contour of a human's head, whereby 22 ), the face surface of the wearer and the exit seal ( 50 ) defined respiratory zone is formed. Protection system ( 20 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on the diffuser ( 44 ) an air-impermeable strip ( 51 ) is attached. Protection system ( 20 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blower ( 36 ) has a fan control, which is operatively connected to this and the diffuser ( 44 ) will be carried. Protection system ( 20 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outlet seal ( 50 ) with the face shield ( 22 ) has bonded nonwoven. Protection system ( 20 ) according to claim 5, wherein the outlet seal ( 50 ) on the face shield ( 22 ) has attached nonwoven polypropylene and polyester fibers. Protection system ( 20 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter ( 38 ) is a compliant, encompassing filter that at least substantially encloses the inlet of the fan. Face shield, comprising: a headgear ( 24 ) having a free end and a length of which a part is sufficiently bent such that in use a part of the head clasp ( 24 ) is generally adapted to a part of the upper and the rear part of the head of the wearer, the head clasp ( 24 ) extends generally to the occipital protuberance of the wearer's head and the free end abuts the head or neck of the wearer in a region generally underlying the occiput of the occiput, comprising a substantially transparent, air-impermeable, rigid face shield (Fig. 22 ) extending from one end of the headgear ( 24 ), where at the face shield ( 22 ) has a circumference and is adapted to generally conform to the shape of a human's face and is larger than such a face, a fibrous face filter gasket ( 50 ) near the perimeter of the face shield ( 22 and is generally disposed therealong and is adapted to engage and conform to the contour of a human's face, whereby, while wearing the shield, one may pass through the face shield (FIG. 22 ), the facial surface of a human and the facial filter seal ( 50 ) defined breathing zone, wherein out of the respiratory zone outgoing air through the face filter seal ( 50 ) and a filter ( 38 ) for filtering air entering the respiratory zone.